Crashes and Accidents:WWII 1942 January- June
Dedicated to Eagles who caressed our skies.
May we NEVER forget!
I am in the process of documenting every airplane crash and accident that occurred at Mitchel Field/Mitchel AFB.
Researching and cross-referencing crash records and documents is a time consuming and tedious process.
I hope to include details and photos.
Please be patient and check back often for updates.
Air crashes, mechanical failure and landing and takeoff accidents are regular events on an active airfield, especially during WWII. Airmen from Mitchel Field were constantly flying East Coast defensive fighter patrols and anti-submarine patrols, along with training and overseas transient flights. Accidents were bound to happen with all the increased wartime activity.
A new book in 2006 by researcher Anthony J. Mireles, and research by Marlyn R. Pierce in 2013 indicated that:
"Throughout the war, (1940 through 1945), the U.S. Army Air Corps/Army Air Forces suffered over 54,000 accidents, including 6,351 fatal accidents in the continental United States, resulting in the loss of 7,114 airplanes and the death of 15,530 personnel. This was an average of ten deaths and nearly 40 accidents, fatal and non-fatal, a day. The Army Air Forces reached its peak for both training and accidents in 1943. That year the Army Air Forces suffered 2,268 fatal accidents that resulted in over 5,600 fatalities and over 2,500 aircraft damaged or destroyed. The situation was better in 1944 with a 14 percent drop in accidents compared with 1943. However, there were still nearly 2,000 fatal accidents and the death of 5,000 pilots and crew."
Overall, most of the fatal accidents (2,101) occurred in primary, basic, and advanced trainers, while 2,796 aviators died in the 490 fatal B-24 accidents, followed by 1,757 who died in 284 B-17 crashes.
Of the fighter plane accidents, 455 pilots died in 404 crashes involving P-47 Thunderbolts, while 369 and 337 lost their lives in P-39 and P-38 accidents, respectively.
The U.S. Eighth Air Force in Europe suffered more than 26,000 men killed due to enemy action, mechanical problems, and accidents during the war. But training, as we have seen, was just as hazardous, with more than 15,500 losing their lives in service to their country before they were ever able to face the enemy. These accidents accounted for over 15,000 fatalities, the equivalent of a World War Two infantry division.
Unfortunately, their sacrifices were seldom noted. At a few places around the country, a simple plaque or marker or monument lists the names of those who died but, because they did not die due to enemy action, they were not eligible to receive the Purple Heart medal, posthumously. For the most part, their sacrifices are forgotten by the nation they had sworn to serve and protect.
The following web pages document my research and compilation of every crash or accident that occurred at Mitchel Field from 1917-1961. Pre-war and Post-war are subdivided by decade or half decade periods, while the war years have been divided year by year.
All fatal crashes have been noted in RED TYPE.
Where available I have included details, photos, and news clippings, as well as the further dispositions of the aircraft involved.
Thank You! Paul Martin: Webmaster
Statistical References
Anthony J. Mireles, Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents in the United States, 1941-1945
(Jefferson NC: McFarland, 2006)
MARLYN R. PIERCE, EARNING THEIR WINGS: ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY AIR FORCE DURING FLIGHT TRAINING WORLD WAR TWO by MARLYN R. PIERCE B.A. University of Houston, 1983 M.A. University of Louisville, 1994 MMAS, US Army Command and General Staff College, 1998 A DISSERTATION submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Department of History College of Arts and Sciences
KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY Manhattan, Kansas 2013
Anthony J. Mireles, Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents in the United States, 1941-1945
(Jefferson NC: McFarland, 2006)
MARLYN R. PIERCE, EARNING THEIR WINGS: ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY AIR FORCE DURING FLIGHT TRAINING WORLD WAR TWO by MARLYN R. PIERCE B.A. University of Houston, 1983 M.A. University of Louisville, 1994 MMAS, US Army Command and General Staff College, 1998 A DISSERTATION submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Department of History College of Arts and Sciences
KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY Manhattan, Kansas 2013
1942 January - June
420101 B-25A 40-2199 20BS 2BG Langley Field, VA KSSP
Van Eeuwen, Charles W USA NY New Hyde Park, LI, NY
2199 crashed Jan 1, 1942 shortly after takeoff into sand pit at New Hyde Park, NY. No survivors.
Van Eeuwen, Charles W USA NY New Hyde Park, LI, NY
2199 crashed Jan 1, 1942 shortly after takeoff into sand pit at New Hyde Park, NY. No survivors.
January 1, 1942: Mitchel Field
FIVE KILLED IN BOMBER CRASH.
Mitchel Field, N. Y., Jan. 1. -- (INS) -- Five army airmen were killed today when their B-25 bomber crashed near New Hyde Park during a training flight. The big plane landed in a sand pit and burned.
20th Bomb Squadron, 2nd Bomb Group
Army officials identified those killed as:
Second Lieut. CHARLES W. VAN EEUWEN, 21, of Allendale, Mich., pilot.
Second Lieut. JAMES J. ORR., co-pilot, Oak Park, Illinois
Aviation Cadet EARLY W. RAY, 23, of Kings Mills, Ohio, navigator.
Pvt. EDWIN A ONUSROWICZ, 20, of Ipswich, Mass., engineer.
Pvt. JOSEPH W. GALLIK, 20, of Pittsburgh, Pa., radio operator.
FIVE KILLED IN BOMBER CRASH.
Mitchel Field, N. Y., Jan. 1. -- (INS) -- Five army airmen were killed today when their B-25 bomber crashed near New Hyde Park during a training flight. The big plane landed in a sand pit and burned.
20th Bomb Squadron, 2nd Bomb Group
Army officials identified those killed as:
Second Lieut. CHARLES W. VAN EEUWEN, 21, of Allendale, Mich., pilot.
Second Lieut. JAMES J. ORR., co-pilot, Oak Park, Illinois
Aviation Cadet EARLY W. RAY, 23, of Kings Mills, Ohio, navigator.
Pvt. EDWIN A ONUSROWICZ, 20, of Ipswich, Mass., engineer.
Pvt. JOSEPH W. GALLIK, 20, of Pittsburgh, Pa., radio operator.
Just 1 month after Pearl Harbor, B-25s from Mitchel Field flew anti-submarine “Dawn Patrols” out over the Atlantic in search of German U-Boats targeting US shipping. 07:20 New Year’s Day morning 1942, Lt. Van Eeuwen’s crew lifted of the Mitchel runway loaded with bombs for their routine patrol. Shortly after take-off, the twin engine bomber developed engine trouble and attempted a slow sweeping circle to return to the field. Barely airborne, and rapidly losing altitude with one motor out and the second sputtering, the men looked or a safe place to land above a heavily populated residential neighborhood in New Hyde Park. Struggling to stay aloft and at times only 10-20 feet above the ground, it’s wheels scraping at least one rooftop along the way, the crew managed to stay in flight long enough to reach an open sandpit just yards beyond, and surrounded by the quite homes.
|
|
Anti-submarine B-25s leaving Mitchel Field, 1942.
The craft struck hard against the side wall of the sand pit and exploded with a thunderous rumbling across the neighborhood heard for miles around. Air Force officials and residents of the community hailed the men as heroes, attesting to the fact that the airmen clearly veered toward the sand pit to save numerous civilian lives.
Over 500 families of the grateful community joined forces to send flowers to each of the families of the fallen crewmen and squadron officials at Mitchel Field, and raised funds to erect a monument to their sacrifice on the corner of New Hyde Park Road and Oak Drive. Dedicated on January 26, 1942, the Marble Memorial and bronze plaques record the names of the 5 crewmen “who gave their lives that the people of Hillside Park Oaks might be spared.” Following the placing of wreaths by various civic organizations and the firing of a 21 gun salute by a squad from Mitchel, the 1500 assembled marched to the edge of the sand pit where a wreath was solemnly cast into the site. Each man, woman and child then followed with a white carnation, gently fluttered beyond the rim of the pit, 25 feet below where a large white cross marked the spot where the plane’s crew perished.
Pilot Lt. Charles Van Eeuwen was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his action in avoiding hitting houses during the crash. Years later the monument was moved to a circle at Michael J. Tulley Park. Remembrances were held there in 1972, 1981 and on the 75th anniversary of the crash in January 2017. As the community has held their memories dear in their hearts, let US also not forget their sacrifice! Rest in Peace Sirs! Slow salute! Thank you to Joshua Stoff of COA and Hempstead Town Historian Howard Kroplick. Link here to Town of Hempstead 75th Commemoration video.
Over 500 families of the grateful community joined forces to send flowers to each of the families of the fallen crewmen and squadron officials at Mitchel Field, and raised funds to erect a monument to their sacrifice on the corner of New Hyde Park Road and Oak Drive. Dedicated on January 26, 1942, the Marble Memorial and bronze plaques record the names of the 5 crewmen “who gave their lives that the people of Hillside Park Oaks might be spared.” Following the placing of wreaths by various civic organizations and the firing of a 21 gun salute by a squad from Mitchel, the 1500 assembled marched to the edge of the sand pit where a wreath was solemnly cast into the site. Each man, woman and child then followed with a white carnation, gently fluttered beyond the rim of the pit, 25 feet below where a large white cross marked the spot where the plane’s crew perished.
Pilot Lt. Charles Van Eeuwen was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his action in avoiding hitting houses during the crash. Years later the monument was moved to a circle at Michael J. Tulley Park. Remembrances were held there in 1972, 1981 and on the 75th anniversary of the crash in January 2017. As the community has held their memories dear in their hearts, let US also not forget their sacrifice! Rest in Peace Sirs! Slow salute! Thank you to Joshua Stoff of COA and Hempstead Town Historian Howard Kroplick. Link here to Town of Hempstead 75th Commemoration video.
|
Brooklyn Daily Eagle Jan 3 1942 |
|
Brooklyn Daily Eagle Jan 24 1942 |
Brooklyn Daily Eagle Jan 7, 1942
|
|
Brooklyn Daily Eagle
|
January 26, 1942
|
The B-25A Mitchell Bomber crashed in a sand pit east of the current location of 82 Maple Drive in New Hyde Park, south of Hillside Avenue and north of Michael Tully Park.
|
2Lt. Charles W. Van Eeuwen BIRTH 1919 DEATH 1 Jan 1942 (aged 22–23) New Hyde Park, Nassau County, New York, USA BURIAL Allendale Township Cemetery Allendale, Ottawa County, Michigan, USA |
|
|
|
2Lt. James Joseph Orr BIRTH 6 Sep 1918 Oak Park, Cook County, Illinois, USA DEATH 1 Jan 1942 (aged 23) New York, USA BURIAL All Saints Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum Des Plaines, Cook County, Illinois, USA |
|
|
PFC Joseph W Gallick BIRTH unknown DEATH 1 Jan 1942 New Hyde Park, Nassau County, New York, USA BURIAL Unknown 
|
|
|
PFC Edwin A Onufrowicz
BIRTH unknown DEATH 1 Jan 1942 New Hyde Park, Nassau County, New York, USA BURIAL Highland Cemetery Ipswich, Essex County, Massachusetts, USA PLOT Cowles plot# 17 
|
|
|
Aviation Cadet Earl W. Ray BIRTH 29 Mar 1918 Kings Mills, Warren County, Ohio, USA DEATH 1 Jan 1942 (aged 23) New Hyde Park, Nassau County, New York, USA |
Dayton Memorial Park Cemetery
Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio PLOT 16 6 14 |
|
Newsday: January 26, 1942
|
|
Video of 75th Anniversary Ceremony in New Hyde Park.
420103 P-39D 41-6744 35PS 8PG Mitchel Field, NY LACGL
Nichols, Robert N USA NJ Bendix Airport, NJ
Nichols, Robert N USA NJ Bendix Airport, NJ
420108 P-39D 41-683135PS 8PGMitchel Field, NY BOEF 5 Christian, Shannon USAOH Near, Piedmont Dam, OH
420109 P-39D 41-682136PS 8PGMitchel Field, LI, NY FLEF 3 Blackmon, Linnon R USANY Farmingdale, LI, NY
420116 B-10M 33-145TT Det Mitchel Field, NY FLMF 3 Smith, Edmund G USANY Mitchell Field, NY
420122 RP-40 39-28359PS 33PGMitchel Field, NY LACGL 3 Bradley, John L USAPA Philadelphia Muni Aprt, PA
420124 P-40 39-17060PS 33PGMitchel Field, LI, NY LACGL 3 Prejean, Edward J USADC Bolling Field, Washington, DC
420131 B-25 40-21783RS Mitchel Field, LI, NY LACNU 4 Dow, Thompson F Jr USANY Mitchell Field, NY
420204 RP-40 40-33059PS 33PGMitchel Field, NY LAC 3 Patterson, Jack S USAPA Philadelphia Muni Airport, PA
420208 P-40 39-16859PS 33PGPhiladelphia Muni Airport, PA LACMF 4 Hubbard, Mark E USANY Mitchell Field, NY
420209 P-36A 38-19063PS 56PGMitchel Field, NY FLEF 5 Hennefent, Karl O USANY Farmingdale, LI, NY
420213 P-40E 41-24990 59PS 33PG Mitchel Field, NY LACGC 4 Mason, Joe L USAMD Glen L Martin Airport, MD
420213 P-40E 41-24989 59PS 33PG Mitchel Field, NY LACGC 3 Bradley, John L USAMD Glen L Martin Airport, MD
420213 P-40E 41-24989 59PS 33PG Mitchel Field, NY LACGC 3 Bradley, John L USAMD Glen L Martin Airport, MD
420213 RP-40 39-216 60PS 33PG Mitchel Field, LI, NY LACGL 4 Latimer, Will F., Jr USANC Morris Field, NC
420219 DB-7B AL-8857 9BS 5BG Grenier Field, Manchester, NH TAC 4 Quinn, John J USANY Mitchel Field, NY
420301 P-36C 38-85 63PS 56PG Mitchel Field, NY LACGL 3 Roddy, Edward F USANY Stewart Field, West Point, NY
420304 RA-20A 40-178 63PS 56PG Mitchel Field, NY TAC 4 Quimby, Henry R USANY Mitchel Field, NY
420305 DB-7B (Douglas A-20 Havoc) AL-301 79BS 45BG Grenier Field, Manchester, NH KCRGC 5
Southard, David A USA NJ Ocean Off Barnegat Light, NJ 178 W/o Mar 4, 1942 at Mitchell Field, NY. To CL-26
Southard, David A USA NJ Ocean Off Barnegat Light, NJ 178 W/o Mar 4, 1942 at Mitchell Field, NY. To CL-26
David A. Southard BIRTH 15 Mar 1918 DEATH 5 Mar 1942 (aged 23) At Sea BURIAL Greenwood Cemetery Orlando, Orange County, Florida, USA PLOT O54 |
|
420307 P-40E 41-25138 59PS 33PG Mitchel Field, NY KCRGC 5
Jaehning, Henry G USA DE Water off Delaware Bay, near Dover, DE
25138 (ET462) retained in USA. Wrecked Mar 7, 1942 near Delmere Bay, NJ
Jaehning, Henry G USA DE Water off Delaware Bay, near Dover, DE
25138 (ET462) retained in USA. Wrecked Mar 7, 1942 near Delmere Bay, NJ
|
2LT Henry George Jaehning BIRTH 17 Nov 1914 Wood Lake Township, Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota, USA DEATH 7 Mar 1942 (aged 27) BURIAL Redwood Falls Cemetery Redwood Falls, Redwood County, Minnesota, USA |
|
420307 P-39D 41-682936PS 8PGMitchel Field, NY FLoG 4 Bray, Robert A USAOH Waynesfield, OH
420310 RP-36A 38-13563PS 56PGMitchel Field, NY LACMF 5 Noel, Robert K USANY Mitchell Field, NY
420313 DB-7B W-8311 79BS 45BGGrenier Field, Manchester, NH LAC 4 White, Wallace D USANY Mitchell Field, NY
420319 C-40A 38-541 63PS 56PG Mitchel Field, NY LACGL 3 Eby, Merle C USANY Mitchell Field, NY
420322 P-322 AF-100 56PG Mitchel Field, NY LAC 4 Knauf, Fred J USACT Bradley Field, CT
|
|
420328 P-36A 38-162 63PS 56 PGMitchel Field, NY FLEF 4 Callaway, Raymond L USANY 10 mi S of Riverhead, LI, NY
420401 C-43C 42-22246 HqSq 1ASC Mitchel Field, NY LAC 3 Doyle, John P USAFL Jacksonville Muni Airport, FL
420402 P-36C 38-197 63PS 56PGMitchel Field, NY LACGL 4 Ryerson, Gordon L USANY Mitchel Field, NY
420403 P-40E 41-24966 59PS 33PG Mitchel Field, NY KCRGC
Davis, Ralph D USA NC 6 mi N of Elizabeth City, NC
24966 (MSN 18985) to RAF as ET290; retained in USA. wrecked at Elizabeth City Apr 4, 1942. Pilot killed.
Davis, Ralph D USA NC 6 mi N of Elizabeth City, NC
24966 (MSN 18985) to RAF as ET290; retained in USA. wrecked at Elizabeth City Apr 4, 1942. Pilot killed.
|
Ralph Donovan Davis
BIRTH 21 Oct 1918 Ohio, USA DEATH 3 Apr 1942 (aged 23) Elizabeth City, Pasquotank County, North Carolina, USA BURIAL Ridgewood Cemetery Wellston, Jackson County, Ohio, USA 
|
|
|
420404 P-40E 41-2478559PS 33PG Mitchel Field, NY FLoG 5 Krause, Lester L USAVA In water off Langley Field, VA
420420 P-40 41-25039 65PS 57PG Mitchel Field, NY LAC 3 Kimball, Malvin B USANY Mitchell Field, NY
|
|
420428 P-40F 41-13703 58PS 3PG Mitchel Field, NY LACGL 3 Holcombe, Richard E USAVA Muni Airport, Norfolk, VA
420429 A-29 41-23410 92RS 45BG Mitchel Field, NY LACGL 4 Smith, John J Jr USANY Farmingdale, NY
420429 RA-29 41-23413 92RS 45BG Mitchel Field, NY LACGL 4 Lyman, Thomas G USANY Mitchell Field, NY
420429 P-40F 41-13744 58PS 33PG Mitchel Field, NY LACNO 4 Overcash, Robert J USAVA Norfolk Muni Airport, VA
420502 P-38F 41-2314 63PS 56PG Mitchel Field, NY TOA 4 Noel, Robert K USANY Mitchel Field, NY
420501 P-40E 40-49765PS 57PGTrumbull Field, Groton, CT
KSSPCR 5 MacQuarrie, Kenneth R USACT 2 mi N of Trumbull Field, CT
Not based at Mitchel but from Queens, NY.
KSSPCR 5 MacQuarrie, Kenneth R USACT 2 mi N of Trumbull Field, CT
Not based at Mitchel but from Queens, NY.
Kenneth R MacQuarrieBIRTH unknown
DEATH 1 May 1942 BURIAL Long Island National Cemetery East Farmingdale, Suffolk County, New York, USA PLOT D, 839 
|
|
420503 P-40F 41-13721 59PS 33PG Mitchel Field, NY FLEF 5 Weaver, Edwin R USA MD Glen L Martin Airport, MD
420512 P-40F 41-13724 59FS 33PG Mitchel Field, NY LACGL 3 Beaird, Allen USAPA Philadelphia Muni Airport, PA
420513 B-25B 40-2235393BS Mitchel Field, NY LACMF 4 Bogan, John A. USANY Mitchel Field, NY
420514 P-40F 41-1375058PS 33PGMitchel Field, NY LAC 3 Dyer, James M USAVA Norfolk Muni Airport, VA
420514 P-40F 41-1374358PS 33PGMitchel Field, NY LAC 4 Marks, Richard E USAVA Norfolk Muni Airport, VA
420510 A-29 41-234114 33BS Dow Field, Bangor, ME KMIS
Woodle, Kenneth A USA NY Crashed at sea, 40º 15' N - 72º 43' W
MIA (KIA): LT Kenneth A. Woodle, Lt. Jay W. Myers, Lt. Adam B. Kalmanowicz,
Pvt. William F. Rutherford, Pvt. Curtis B. Bausher
Woodle, Kenneth A USA NY Crashed at sea, 40º 15' N - 72º 43' W
MIA (KIA): LT Kenneth A. Woodle, Lt. Jay W. Myers, Lt. Adam B. Kalmanowicz,
Pvt. William F. Rutherford, Pvt. Curtis B. Bausher
|
LT Kenneth A. Woodle
BIRTH unknown DEATH May 1942 BURIAL Body lost at sea, Specifically: Killed in a bomber crash, location not known |
Kenneth A. Woodle
From 1940 Indiana State Teachers College Yearbook, The Oak, Indiana PAP 185, Indiana PA Phi Alpha Zeta Fraternity. Courtesy Michael Minnich |
Indiana Gazette May 16, 1942
The War Department has notified Mr. and Mrs. Ashley C Woodle of Iselin that their son, Kenneth A. Woodle, 24, together with four other members of a bomber squadron, were lost at sea Sunday last. The official telegram said the War Department's information "precludes any probability of anyone surviving the crash." Coast Guardsmen found records 100 miles at sea (censorship forbidding the name of the ocean) indicating that the squadron had perished. No definite cause of the crash was given by the War Department.
Woodle entered service in 1941 and was graduated from the Air Corps School in Augusta, Ga. He was stationed at Mitchel Field, Long Island. Kenneth attended Indiana State Teachers College and was graduated with the class of 1940, one of the other members being Second Lieutenant Howard F. Porter, local Army flyer, who was killed in a bomber crash in Washington state last Tuesday. Previously to matriculating at the local college, he was a student at Elders Ridge Vocational School, being graduated in 1936. Lieutenant Woodle leaves his parents and three sisters: Mrs. Raymond (Mary) Weamer of Long Island, and Misses Ruth and Ann Woodle, at home. Mr. Woodle is manager of the Mahoning Supply Company store at Iselin. This morning Mr. and Mrs. Woodle received a letter of sympathy from the Corps Chaplain at Michel Field.
The War Department has notified Mr. and Mrs. Ashley C Woodle of Iselin that their son, Kenneth A. Woodle, 24, together with four other members of a bomber squadron, were lost at sea Sunday last. The official telegram said the War Department's information "precludes any probability of anyone surviving the crash." Coast Guardsmen found records 100 miles at sea (censorship forbidding the name of the ocean) indicating that the squadron had perished. No definite cause of the crash was given by the War Department.
Woodle entered service in 1941 and was graduated from the Air Corps School in Augusta, Ga. He was stationed at Mitchel Field, Long Island. Kenneth attended Indiana State Teachers College and was graduated with the class of 1940, one of the other members being Second Lieutenant Howard F. Porter, local Army flyer, who was killed in a bomber crash in Washington state last Tuesday. Previously to matriculating at the local college, he was a student at Elders Ridge Vocational School, being graduated in 1936. Lieutenant Woodle leaves his parents and three sisters: Mrs. Raymond (Mary) Weamer of Long Island, and Misses Ruth and Ann Woodle, at home. Mr. Woodle is manager of the Mahoning Supply Company store at Iselin. This morning Mr. and Mrs. Woodle received a letter of sympathy from the Corps Chaplain at Michel Field.
Photo courtesy
Joel Frampton Gilfert |
|
|
Jay William Myers BIRTH 1918 DEATH 1942 (aged 23–24) BURIAL Westminster Memorial Gardens Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, US PLOT Section C, lot 179, space 3 |
|
“LOCAL FLIER REPORTED LOST AT SEA”, read the headline on Wednesday, May 13, 1942, in the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader. Lieutenant Adam Kalmanowicz’s mother Antoinette, of Lincoln Street, in Exeter was notified that her son’s plane failed to return to Mitchel Field after an Atlantic patrol. Meager details of his plight were available. It appears that his plane took off Monday at 4:00AM and has neither been seen or heard from since that time. Lieutenant Kalmanowicz entered the Army Air Corps about 8 months prior to this accident. He received his wings and was recently commissioned a navigator and had just visited his family in Exeter about two weeks before the accident. He graduated from Exeter High School where he excelled in football and track. He graduated with a BS from Penn State College. He worked for the U.S. Forest Service in Massachusetts prior to his joining the Army Air Corps. It has been said that he was the first Exeter resident who died during this war; he died protecting our country. In February 1946 a group of 15 Exeter residents applied for an American Legion Charter and in January 1947 they were granted official permission to organize. Thus began the Adam Kalmanowicz Post 833 Exeter American Legion in Lieutenant Kalmanowicz’s honor. |
Photo cortesy
Dr Marie C. Karban DVM (ret.) |
Adam Kalmanowicz, son of Charles and Antionetta Kalmanowicz of Exter PA was reported missing over the Alantic Ocean, after leaving Mitchel Fleid in NY on patrol duty over the Altantic, as reported by the War Dept. His plane was not seen or heard from since then. LT Kalmanowicz had recently earned his wings.
Adam was commissioned a 2nd LT in Albany GA, following recent exercises there and earned his wings and became a navigator in the US Army Air Corps. He graduated from Exeter HS and Penn State and earned his degree. Before enlisting in the army, adam worked for the US Forest service in Petersham Mass.
The local American Legion Post #833 in Exeter PA was named after him in his honor.
Adam was commissioned a 2nd LT in Albany GA, following recent exercises there and earned his wings and became a navigator in the US Army Air Corps. He graduated from Exeter HS and Penn State and earned his degree. Before enlisting in the army, adam worked for the US Forest service in Petersham Mass.
The local American Legion Post #833 in Exeter PA was named after him in his honor.
420520 P-40F 41-13648 58PS 33PG Mitchel Field, NY FLEF 3 Brown, Jack R USAVA Norfolk Muni Airport, VA
420522 P-40F 41-13609HqSq 56PGMitchel Field, LI, NY LAC 4 Carpenter, Noel USANY Mitchel Field, LI, NY
420525 P-40F 41-13699HqSq 56PGMitchel Field, Hempstead, LI, NY LACGL 3 Wilson, David M USANY Mitchel Field, NY
420527 P-38E 41-1999 63PS 56FG Mitchel Field, Hempstead, LI, NY Killed, Stall / SPin CRash KSSPCR
Wetzel, Raymond V USA NY Mitchel Field, NY 1999 crashed at Mitchel Field, NY May 27, 1942. Pilot killed.
Wetzel, Raymond V USA NY Mitchel Field, NY 1999 crashed at Mitchel Field, NY May 27, 1942. Pilot killed.
|
Nassau Daily Review Star May 28, 1942
|
2LT Raymond V Wetzel BIRTH 1920 DEATH 27 May 1942 (aged 21–22) Nassau County, New York, USA BURIAL Meadowbrook Cemetery Gilman, Taylor County, Wisconsin, USA 
Brooklyn Daily Eagle: May 28, 1942
|
420528 A-29 41-23420433BS 45BGMitchel Field, Hempstead, LI, NY LACGL 4 Perry, William W USAFL Miami NAS, FL
420529 AT-12 41-17512EPD Mitchel Field, Hempstead, LI, NY LACGL 3 Kimbrell, William W USANH Grenier Field, NH
420605 P-40F 41-13722 59FS 33FG Mitchel Field, Hempstead, LI, NY LACGL 3 Johnson, William W USA PA Philadelphia Muni Airport, PA
420607 B-25A 40-21913 93BS Mitchel Field, Hempstead, LI, NY BOW 5 Fitzgerald, Maurice J. USANJ Margate City, NJ
420609 P-40F 41-13770 58FS 33FG Mitchel Field, Hempstead, LI, NY KMAC 5
Reeve, George A USA CA Half Moon Bay Airfield, CA 13770 wrecked at sea off Half Moon Bay, CA Jun 9, 1942. Pilot bailed out and was drowned
420609 P-40F 41-13789 58FS 33FG Mitchel Field, Hempstead, LI, NY KMAC 5
Rumbaugh, Walter E USA CA Half Moon Bay Airfield, CA 13789 wrecked at sea off Half Moon Bay, CA Jun 9, 1942. Pilot bailed out and was drowned
Reeve, George A USA CA Half Moon Bay Airfield, CA 13770 wrecked at sea off Half Moon Bay, CA Jun 9, 1942. Pilot bailed out and was drowned
420609 P-40F 41-13789 58FS 33FG Mitchel Field, Hempstead, LI, NY KMAC 5
Rumbaugh, Walter E USA CA Half Moon Bay Airfield, CA 13789 wrecked at sea off Half Moon Bay, CA Jun 9, 1942. Pilot bailed out and was drowned
420609 A-29 41-23380 433BS 45BG Mitchel Field, Hempstead, LI, NY LACGL 4 Horn, William P. USAFL MacDill Field, FL
420609 P-40F 41-13802 62FS 56FG Mitchel Field, Hempstead, LI, NY TOAEF 5 Shortley, Rush M USACA 1 mi NW of San Francisco Airport, CA
|
|
420617 P-40F 41-136185 8FS 33FG Mitchel Field, Hempstead, LI, NY LACGL 4 Bent, John T USAVA Muni Airport, Norfolk, VA
420621 B-25A 40-21983 93BS Mitchel Field, Hempstead, LI, NY LAC 4 Larson, Harold J. USARI Hillsgrove Field, Providence, RI
|
420624 P-47B 41-5929 63FS 56FG
Mitchel Field, Hempstead, LI, NY BOEF Graves, Davis D. USA NY Huntington, LI, NY |
|
420624 P-40C 41-13391 58FS 33FG Mitchel Field, Hempstead, LI, NY LAC 3 Fink, J Burl USAVA Norfolk Muni Airport, VA
420628 C-40A 38-539 HqSq ICASC Mitchel Field, Hempstead, LI, NY LACMF 3 Deal, E. Charles USANY Mitchel Field, NY
Mitchelfield.weebly.com Copyright 1973 - 2020.
All photos taken by Paul R. Martin III unless stated otherwise. All rights reserved.
No images or content may be reproduced without prior written permission.
